Restrictive stock air intakes

stu-e-boy · 10th November 2005, 16:20

I've just been checking out where the car gets its air from and I can't believe what I've seen. The only place the two air snorkels get flow from is through 6 small holes on the passenger side of the bumper. Everywhere else is completely closed off from sending air their way. Surely this can't be good for the engine starving it of so much air? Some of my customers have CSL M3's and they have a lovely ram air style tube feeding their mill, even my E36 Evo had air channeled directly to it through the front spoiler and into a tube for the air box. Why is it BMW decided to put the M5 intakes here???? It's like asking Maurice Green to run the 100 with a wet cloth over his mouth.

Bemused,

Stu.
ps. Will be creating some proper air flow through the spoiler units myself tonight.

alantd · 10th November 2005, 16:26

Let me know how you get on.

I was checking this out myself the other night and couldn't see any decent air flow.

stu-e-boy · 10th November 2005, 16:51

Will do, my test was to get a small torch and when it was dark shine it in anything that resembled an opening and suprise, the only place light cam through was the 6 little holes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alantd

Let me know how you get on.

I was checking this out myself the other night and couldn't see any decent air flow.

cableguy · 10th November 2005, 17:45

AA CAI is the way to go my friend.

C.

Jayson · 10th November 2005, 18:04

Acually the air intakes go from the air boxes down into the front of the bumper and the air that flows through the lower "mouth" if you will and into the air intakes, all the AA air intake does is stretch it further.

Shown here.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/att...achmentid=9983

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/att...achmentid=9981

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/att...achmentid=9982

mottati · 10th November 2005, 18:46

the opening to the airboxes are behind the headlamp assemblies, just outside of the grill area. Plenty of air in there....
Mike

HDClown · 11th November 2005, 05:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayson

Acually the air intakes go from the air boxes down into the front of the bumper and the air that flows through the lower "mouth" if you will and into the air intakes, all the AA air intake does is stretch it further.

Shown here.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/att...achmentid=9983

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/att...achmentid=9981

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/att...achmentid=9982

The stock intake trumpets sit behind the top portion of the bumper where this is no direct contact with outside air. So you are getting air that is pushed/sucked in from the lower opening and up to the intake trumpet openings. The AA moves the intakes for the trumpets directly into the pathway of air in the lower grill, which is going to be more efficient for getting air into the system. It also gives you a wide intake trumpet opening and air channel compared to the stock one

ttboyvanc · 11th November 2005, 22:15

I am going to run some vacuum tubing up from the foglight assemblies to the stock airboxes, and use the front grill for brake cooling ducts!

I think someone else on the board did the same and noticed better drivabilty... Threre might even be some pics... I'll post some when I'm done...

stu-e-boy · 11th November 2005, 23:35

Update:
Yesterday I drilled out about 25 holes on each side of the spoiler where after market Cold Air Induction kits would exit. It was dark by the time I finished and so I used my torch to see how much light was now being let through to the area where the stock snorkels are and it's inifinitely better than before the operation. I then took her for a test run, temp outside was 11 degrees c, which is cold I know, but I swear she pulled harder all the way. It felt like the engine was giving loads more at about 4500 upwards where usually you can feel a slight weeziness to her. The engine felt as eager and happy to pull at high revs as my old 68 Road Runner did running a high rise Team G intake manifold. Total cost of my mods so far, £0.
Like the idea of the vacuum tubing, let me know how you get on.
Anybody wrapped their headers in heat proof tape yet to help with under hood heat?

Stu.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttboyvanc

I am going to run some vacuum tubing up from the foglight assemblies to the stock airboxes, and use the front grill for brake cooling ducts!

I think someone else on the board did the same and noticed better drivabilty... Threre might even be some pics... I'll post some when I'm done...

ttboyvanc · 12th November 2005, 01:48

Thanks will let you know, with pics, will be few weeks though, (I'll be out of town).

Also, a wise man once told me that anyone getting the supersprint headers should get them ceramic coated first, he said lots of people spend a lot of $$ on Supersprint headers but they release so much heat into the engine bay, why not spend a little extra and get them ceramic coated and keep engine bay temps WAY down. Anyways, never thought of doing it to the stock headers... good idea...